Google and YouTube want a safe and exciting web where young people can be creative, express themselves and belong. Be Internet Citizens has been designed to teach 13 to 15-year-olds about media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship, with the aim of encouraging young people to have a positive voice online. The programme provides a strong foundation, empowering them with the confidence to become producers of online content, where they can express their identities, share their stories, make a social impact, and bring communities together.

What happens at our workshops

Get creative with our hosts and guest YouTuber

Stay resilient and confident online and make negativity bounce

Use video to find your voice and bring people together

Navigate social media, check facts and escape social bubbles

Discover how to use online tools responsibly

2017 Roadshow

In 2017 we ran workshops in youth centers across the UK with a curriculum designed and evaluated by experts from ISD (Institute for Strategic Dialogue).

97% of young peoplefelt they gained new knowledge or skills

84% of young peopleleft the workshop confident that they would know what to do if they came across hate speech online

97% of youth workersfelt the workshop content was relevant for young people

99% of youth workerssaid young people enjoyed the workshop

“A really good, engaging event which was both enjoyable for the young people involved and educational.”

AbiYouth Worker from Sheffield

“It was a great environment, greater facilitator, great feel of energy - some of the young people I brought loved being involved in the filming and all in all a good day - thank you.”

BethanYouth Worker from Merthyr Tydfil

“The workshops were fun, thought-provoking and inspired some great discussions, helping the young people speak their truth, explore ideas together and develop the tools to confidently enjoy their online world.”

Fusion

“Be Internet Citizens is an incredible programme. The greatest outcome is the young people know that they can create a positive and powerful online platform to present themselves and inspire others in a brand new way.”

Efe

“The workshops were a perfect opportunity to prove that young people around the country are thoughtful, empowered, and eager to share their voices in a positive and powerful way!”

Nadir

I put two teens in a closet and this happened

Watch the roadshow videos

I put two teens in a closet and this happened

They said nasty things about my weight in my videos

In 2018...

We are rolling out Be Internet Citizens workshops into schools across the country, as well as supporting teachers and the youth sector with training and resources to deliver the curriculum independently.

The curriculum

Three sides to every story

Explains fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles, helping young people become more confident in forming their own opinions in online contexts.

Emotional Manipulation

Helps young people develop an increased critical awareness of the use of emotional manipulation through video examples.

Us vs Them

Enables an understanding of how powerful ‘us vs them’ divisions can be, and it’s used online to shape opinions.

Haters gonna hate

How to recognise hate speech and react to hateful content online, including the use of online tools such as reporting, flagging and blocking.

In my personal space

A creative video exercise that allows participants to explore what separates them and unites them through empathy and humour.